Durban - Five people, including two children, were killed in a family massacre in Zululand at the weekend.
The killings are believed to have been triggered by a shooting related to a love triangle involving a teenager and a chief.
Another three family members were injured and a family homestead in Mbongolwane, between Eshowe and Nkandla, was burned down. By Monday morning police had arrested seven people.
Police said it followed the murder of Gcinekile Winile Nsibande, who was allegedly involved in the love triangle.
She had been shot dead on July 21 by three men, and her ear was cut off.
Eshowe cluster police spokeswoman, Tienkie van Vuuren, said in statement that: “... Nsibande (AKA Shandu) and another woman, Lungi Mnyango, apparently had an affair with an inkosi (a chief whose name is known to the Daily News) in the area.”
Mnyango’s mother was apparently suspected of planning Nsibande’s killing.
“On Saturday at approximately 7.30pm, the Mnyango homestead was attacked and four houses set alight.”
Lungi, 17, was stabbed to death in a sugar cane field about 100m from the homestead.
Her mother, 54-year-old Thulisile Mnyango, was set alight with thatch and burned to death outside the main house.
Two-year-old Qiniso Mnyango burned to death in the main house. Another two victims were stabbed to death: Nana Mnyango, 22, about 20m from the main house; and Mlamuli Mnyango, 10, who was behind the cattle kraal.
Madoda Mnyango, 65, survived. Although badly burnt on the lower part of his body, he identified the suspects, said Van Vuuren.
He was taken to Mbongolwane hospital, about 10km away from the homestead.
Two cattle were also stabbed to death.
Two relatives survived after fleeing the scene. Mpendulo Mnyango, 19, was shot through the cheek while Kwandile Khanyile, nine, escaped unscathed.
A spokesman for Mbongolwane District Hospital, Siphamandla Buthelezi, said: “(Lungi’s) father Madoda Mnyango, 65, had serious injuries as he was burnt on both lower limbs, but he is stable; he has been transferred to the next level of care.”
“His son, Mpendulo, 19, had a gun shot (wound) on the upper lip. He was sutured and discharged.
“A neighbour, 10-year-old Nonjabulo Biyela, was also admitted. She had bruises on the back and she was traumatised. She will receive counselling.”
Van Vuuren said suspects had been identified and seven had been arrested.
They are expected to appear in court on Tuesday, to face five murder allegations, four of attempted murder and four of arson.
The Eshowe Cluster task team has been instructed to investigate the case.
Daily News